“Tonight we not only acknowledge the contribution of a valuable sector of our society which continues to spur economic growth, but, more importantly, celebrate leaders who have steered their businesses to success while inspiring others to make it big. Among this emerging group of achievers are leaders who have also successfully woven inclusive growth into their business journeys. Their stories of determination despite trials and eventual success are a testament to what entrepreneurs can achieve if they persevere,” said Mitch Locsin, PLDT Vice President and Head of SME Nation.

The MVP Bossing Awards Night caps the annual search for the next batch of the country’s most accomplished entrepreneurs that began in October. With the battlecry, “Sulong Bossing!” the 2016 awards underscore the important role that local businesses -– both big and small -– play in driving economic prosperity through inclusive growth.

Kapatid Awards: Recognizing Successful Smaller Scale Businesses

Sharing the limelight on the same evening were recipients of the first-ever Kapatid Awards, a program developed by the triumvirate of Go Negosyo, the Department of Trade and Industry, and PLDT SME Nation. The awards are an offshoot of the recently launched “Kapatid Program” developed to support the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through training and partnering with larger, more established organizations. The Kapatid Awardees were chosen for having successfully incorporated inclusive business models and linking together micro and small entrepreneurs in their value chain.

Deserving leaders representing Shared Services Facilities (SSF) Cooperators and End-Users were recognized from each of three regions – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

SSF Cooperator Merlina Lumakin and SSF End-User Fhoebe Behay of the Project Sto. Niño de Plaridel Parish Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) in Baybay City, Leyte were hailed as the first-ever Visayan Kapatid Awardees for their work on the Pandan and Bariw Bag-Making SSF Project.

The SSFs also provide employment opportunities to hundreds of direct and indirect workers, as well as livelihood for countless households in the communities where they operate. Operating within this ecosystem, SSF Cooperators and End-Users are able to maximize and optimize local resources to increase productivity in the production of goods.

Giving Back

The 2016 Bossing Awards was truly a night of celebration, not only for business success, but also leadership in society. Three notable frontrunners in government service were recognized with a special citation called “The Nation Builders Award” for answering the call of public service and having gone beyond business to contribute to the greater needs of society. Honored with the award were past Bossings Arthur Tugade and Joey Concepcion, and long-time advocate of entrepreneurship, Mon Lopez, who currently assume the roles of Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, and DTI Secretary, respectively.

Musician and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Gary Valenciano was also presented with the “People Saving the Future” (PSF) Award for his work with the Shining Light Foundation, Inc., a non- stock, non-profit Christian institution established in 1989 that acts as a channel of financial, spiritual and caring support system for pastors, missionaries, church workers and needy families.

The Shining Light Foundation received a special ‘SMART School in a Bag’ from the PLDT-SMART Foundation and SMART Public Affairs. The Shining Light Foundation may donate the bag to any school of its choice. Included in the ‘SMART School in a Bag’ are learning tools that aim to catalyze education with the aid of technology, such as mobile applications and management systems.

“Together with our growing community of Bossings, Kapatids, and other enablers in the Philippine society, we hope to continue to work together towards the steadfast goal of not only igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship throughout the country, and also striving towards the success and progress of the Filipino people,” added Mitch Locsin.